VACAPES Outer Continental Shelf Cetacean Study, Virginia Beach, Virginia: 2016 Annual Progress Report

Transcription

1 VACAPES Outer Continental Shelf Cetacean Study, Virginia Beach, Virginia: Submitted to: Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic under Contract No. N , Task Orders 03 and 54, and N D-8006, Task Order 35, issued to HDR, Inc. Prepared by Amy Engelhaupt 1 Jessica M. Aschettino 2, and Dan Engelhaupt 2 1 Amy Engelhaupt Consulting Virginia Beach, Virginia 2 HDR Virginia Beach, Virginia Submitted by: Virginia Beach, VA August 2017

2 Suggested Citation: Engelhaupt, A., J.M. Aschettino, and D. Engelhaupt VACAPES Outer Continental Shelf Cetacean Study, Virginia Beach, Virginia:. Prepared for U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Submitted to Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, under Contract Nos. N , Task Orders 03 and 54, and N , Task Order 35, issued to HDR Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia. 31 August Cover Photo Credit: Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) biopsy approach off the coast of Virginia. Photographed by J. Thornton. Photograph taken under National Marine Fisheries Service permit no This project is funded by U.S. Fleet Forces Command and managed by Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic as part of the U.S. Navy s marine species monitoring program.

3 Table of Contents Acronyms and Abbreviations...iii 1. Introduction and Background Methods SURVEY OPERATIONS PHOTOGRAPHY AND DATA LOGGING FOCAL FOLLOWS BIOPSY SAMPLE COLLECTION SATELLITE TAGGING Results PHOTO-ID FOCAL FOLLOWS BIOPSY SAMPLE COLLECTION SATELLITE TAGGING Discussion Acknowledgements References...22 Figures Figure 1. Map of the offshore study area off southeastern Virginia (green box) and the VACAPES training range surface grid in the region Figure 2. One of multiple sport-fishing vessels chartered for use during offshore surveys, the 16.2-m Top Notch Figure 3. Offshore survey tracks and locations of all baleen whale (n=9) sightings, April 2015 through Figure 4. Offshore survey tracks and locations of all toothed whale, dolphin, and porpoise (n=184) sightings, April 2015 through Figure 5. Offshore survey tracks and locations of all sea turtle (n=35) sightings, April 2015 through Figure 6. Filtered locations (white dots) and track of fin whale HDRVABp012 over 13.7 days of tag-attachment duration August 2017 i

4 Tables Table 1. Summary of offshore survey efforts off Virginia Beach, Virginia, from April 2015 through Table 2. Summary of marine mammal sightings during 12 offshore vessel surveys from April 2015 through Table 3. Summary of sea turtle sightings during nine offshore vessel surveys from April 2015 through Table 4. Summary of photo-identified baleen whale individuals sighted, from April 2015 through August 2017 ii

5 Acronyms and Abbreviations BSS GPS hr km LIMPET m min MMO Beaufort sea state Global Positioning System hour(s) kilometer(s) Low-Impact Minimally Percutaneous Electronic Transmitter meter(s) minute(s) marine mammal observer NAVFAC LANT Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic NM NSN OPAREA PAM photo-id SPOT U.S. VACAPES Nautical Miles Naval Station Norfolk Operating Area passive acoustic monitoring photo-identification Smart Position and Temperature United States Virginia Capes August 2017 iii

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7 1. Introduction and Background The United States (U.S.) Navy routinely conducts training and testing activities in the Virginia Capes (VACAPES) Operating Area (OPAREA) off the mid-atlantic. Since 2012, HDR has worked with the U.S. Navy to carry out vessel-based line transect visual surveys, photoidentification (photo-id) surveys, and focal-follow surveys, with the goal of determining bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) densities and site fidelity (see Engelhaupt et al. 2014, 2015, 2016), as well as humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) habitat use (see Aschettino et al. 2015, 2016, 2017) within waters adjacent to Naval Station Norfolk (NSN), Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex, and within and near the W-50 Mine Neutralization Exercise area. The region encompassing the deeper waters of the continental shelf, shelf break, and continental slope has been recognized as an important habitat for multiple species of cetaceans. Kenney and Winn (1986) showed that the shelf edge from Cape Hatteras to Georges Bank was the second most intensively used cetacean habitat off the northeastern United States based on 3 years of surveys conducted by the Cetacean and Turtle Assessment Program (CETAP 1982). More recent, still on-going, broad-scale surveys by the National Marine Fisheries Service, including the Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS) and marine mammal stock-assessment reports (Waring et al. 2016) show the same pattern. Cetacean species known to be common in some seasons in outer shelf and slope waters include both baleen whales and odontocetes, including fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis), minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), humpback whales, sperm whales (Physeter microcephalus), beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris, Mesoplodon spp.), long-finned and short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas and Globicephala macrorhynchus, respectively), Risso s dolphins (Grampus griseus), bottlenose dolphins, short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Atlantic white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus acutus), Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), and striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) (CETAP 1982; Hain et al. 1985, 1992; Kenney and Winn 1986, 1987; Selzer and Payne 1988; Kenney 1990; Payne and Heinemann 1993; Waring et al. 1993, 2001, 2016; Northridge et al. 1997; Palka et al. 1997; Mead 2009; NEFSC 2012, 2013; Jefferson et al. 2014). Fin, sei, and sperm whales are all listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Recent aerial and vessel surveys and passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) studies for the U.S. Navy Marine Species Monitoring Program (DoN 2013a; McAlarney et al. 2015; Hodge et al. 2016; Mallette et al 2016; Aschettino et al. 2016, 2017) have provided data confirming the overall patterns, and suggesting that the outer shelf area off Virginia in the VACAPES OPAREA would be a good location for more focused research. Offshore surveys were first conducted in association with the Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale Monitoring project from April 2015 through June 2016 (Aschettino et al. 2016). A separate study focusing on outer continental shelf cetaceans was initiated in July This progress report includes all offshore data from both projects from April 2015 through December The goals of this effort focus on addressing fundamental information gaps related to marine mammal occurrence, exposure, and response as identified the U.S. Navy s Integrated Comprehensive Monitoring Program (DoN 2010) and the follow-up Scientific Advisory Group review (DoN 2011). August

8 In order to address these gaps for offshore waters in the VACAPES OPAREA, a combination of techniques are being used, including: (1) photo-id and behavioral data collection to provide baseline assessments of animal movement patterns, site fidelity, habitat use, life history, and behavior; (2) biopsy sampling for incorporation into existing genetic studies (where opportunities exist) to identify individuals, determine foraging patterns, and assist in delineating stock boundaries; and (3) satellite-linked tagging techniques to provide information on residency patterns and habitat use across intermediate time scales (weeks to months). Residency and movement patterns are of particular interest given the potential for repeated exposure to U.S. Navy training and testing activities known to occur within the area. Although supporting information is limited, preliminary findings from work conducted off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to the south suggest a year-round presence of several species of cetaceans near the continental shelf break (Baird et al. 2016, Foley et al. 2016). Tagging efforts will provide longer-term movement patterns to identify extent of overlap with offshore training and testing activities conducted within the VACAPES OPAREA. Given the duration of the tag attachments and experience from previous tagging studies in waters off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, we would expect the potential to track tagged animals to OPAREAS outside of VACAPES, including the Cherry Point OPAREA to the south and the Atlantic City OPAREA to the north. Taking into consideration the multiple intermediate scientific objectives in the U.S. Navy s Strategic Planning Process (DoN 2013b), the goals of this study are to assist the U.S. Navy and regulatory agencies with environmental planning and compliance by addressing the following questions: Which cetacean species occur over the outer continental shelf to the east of NSN, and how does occurrence fluctuate seasonally? What are the baseline behaviors and ecological relationships of offshore cetaceans within the study area? Do individual cetaceans exhibit site fidelity within specific regions of the study area over periods of weeks, months, or years? What is the seasonal extent of cetacean movements within and around U.S. Navy VACAPES training range boxes? Do cetaceans spend significant time within or primarily move through areas of U.S. Navy live-fire or Anti-Submarine Warfare training events? 2. Methods The primary survey area includes the offshore waters (approximately 90 km (50 nautical miles [NM]) to 160 km (85 NM) off Virginia (Figure 1). The offshore study area includes the outer part of the continental shelf, the shelf break, and slope waters, along with Norfolk and Washington Canyons. Depths within the study area range from less than 100 meters (m) to over 2,000 m. August

9 Figure 1. Map of the offshore study area off southeastern Virginia (green box) and the VACAPES training range surface grid in the region. August

10 2.1 Survey Operations Survey departure times were adjusted to maximize weather and clearance windows, and to take into account the long transit time to reach the survey area (approximately 3 hours [hr] each way). Survey days were planned to utilize survey time within the area of interest during optimal weather conditions, including good visibility and a Beaufort sea state (BSS) of 3 or lower when possible, as well as access to the VACAPES OPAREA range boxes within the study area (K3, K4, 1B1, 1B2, 1B3, and 1B4; Figure 1) so that the research vessels had clearance to operate when training was not being conducted. However, due to frequent range closures and limited weather windows, it was not always possible to conduct surveys within the desired VACAPES OPAREA boxes. Multiple vessels were utilized to support surveys. Charter fishing boats have proven to be effective for reaching the study area and therefore have been the primary vessels used. The 17.4-m Capt. Cheryl, 16.2-m Top Notch (Figure 2), and 17.1-m Knot Tell n were the primary vessels used in Each vessel was equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, marine radio, emergency beacon, a life raft, depth sounder, and emergency equipment. All captains are familiar with the Virginia Beach waterways and the unique characteristics of the region and hold U.S. Coast Guard-approved 100-ton master s licenses. Figure 2. One of multiple sport-fishing vessels chartered for use during offshore surveys, the m Top Notch. Charter vessels departed from Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Efforts were coordinated with the VACAPES range so that the vessel would have clearance in the primary study area as often as possible. The K3 and K4 range boxes, which encompass Norfolk Canyon, require clearance to be obtained on the day of surveys, and therefore there were times that area was August

11 unavailable. Coordination with aerial survey teams was also attempted, whenever possible, in order to maximize sightings potential. The scientific crew consisted of a minimum of four marine mammal observers (MMOs), including (at least) one photographer, one data recorder, one tagging specialist, and one biopsy specialist. Roles were interchangeable throughout surveys. In order to maximize achieving the project objectives, surveys commenced around sunrise. Up to 12 hr were allocated for each survey day. Once departing the marina, transit time was approximately 3 hr to reach the study area. A limited MMO team was on effort during the outbound transit; the full MMO team was deployed on reaching the primary survey area. Due to the distance from shore and overall effort required to complete each survey day, even if sea states were unfavorable (BSS 4 to 6), effort continued until the end of the survey day, unless conditions were deemed to be unsafe. Every effort was made to avoid such circumstances by following weather forecasts closely before commencing a survey day. The survey area for each day was chosen depending on weather conditions, clearance, and reports of high-priority species (e.g., information from recent aerial or vessel surveys). Areas of high naval use, such as the Norfolk Canyon area (Figure 1) were a priority. The survey vessel often followed pre-determined tracks that covered high-priority regions; however, because these surveys were intended to maximize the potential for making observations, surveys did not follow line-transect distance-sampling protocols. The vessel maintained a survey speed of approximately km/hr (10-12 knots) during search efforts that followed a zig-zag pattern to waypoints chosen on the day of survey that would optimize coverage across the depth gradient in the areas that could be accessed that day. The on-effort MMOs used both hand-held image-stabilized binoculars and unaided eyes. MMOs covered a 180-degree swath of observation area in front of the survey vessel. Once a sighting was made, one MMO focused on entering data into a data-recording application running on an Apple ipad tablet (see Appendix A) while others focused on visually tracking and obtaining photo-id images of the individual or group. In addition to photo-id, some species were targeted for biopsy, satellite tagging, and/or digital video-recording. Baleen whales, sperm whales, and beaked whales were given highest priority in terms of time and effort spent collecting information and attempting to deploy tags and collect samples. Species not frequently seen in the area, such as killer whales (Orcinus orca), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra), and pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata) were also defined to be high-priority if encountered. Pilot whales and Risso s dolphins were considered medium-priority species and were worked in the event that higherpriority species were not encountered. Other delphinid species were the lowest priority and effort spent collecting data and photographs was limited to group size, initial behavior, and confirmation of species identification. During a priority marine mammal sighting, or when in the vicinity of a suspected sighting, the research vessel would attempt to approach the animal(s) for the purpose of photographs, biopsy sampling, focal-follow data collection, or tagging. The approach was done in a manner to minimize disturbance to the animals and to maximize the crew s abilities to confirm species, obtain group size estimates, and collect photo-ids and video. The decision on when to end data August

12 collection efforts on a priority species or to switch to a different sighting was made by the Chief Scientist. 2.2 Photography and Data Logging Once a sighting was made, one observer focused on data recording, while the others focused on obtaining photo-id images of the individual(s) using a digital SLR camera (Canon 7D, 7D Mark II, or 1DX Mark II) with a zoom lens (Canon 100- to 400-millimeter). Every effort was made to obtain good quality identification photos of the flukes and/or dorsal fins of high-priority species encountered. Following each survey day, photos were cropped and compiled in a format suitable for data sharing with other catalogs. HDR will share their images with known regional and local catalogs, including the Gulf of Maine Humpback Whale Catalog curated by the Center for Coastal Studies, the North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog curated by Allied Whale, College of the Atlantic, the Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog maintained by the Virginia Aquarium, and multiple cetacean catalogs maintained by Duke University. During surveys, the data recorder maintained a log of observers, environmental conditions, and sighting information in a tablet-based data-recording application (Appendix A). Environmental data were updated whenever sighting conditions changed. When a sighting was made, information regarding the distance and bearing to the sighting, species identification, speed and direction of the animals, group size, photographs, and videos was logged when available. Sighting distances were estimated visually, although laser range finders were used when possible. Location data and vessel speed were obtained from a GPS unit feeding directly into the ipad and logging a location every 30 seconds. 2.3 Focal Follows Focal follows were conducted on priority species prior to the addition of satellite tagging to the project. The process involved frequently recording the approximate distance and bearing to the animal relative to the research vessel, as well as the behavior of the animal (e.g., breath, flukeup dive, etc.) via the customized ipad field application. Each behavioral observation created a focal-follow point with an associated estimated location. Due to unpredictable dive times of the priority species, the focal-follow entries were collected at each surfacing and not at a specific time interval. Focal-follow duration varied but, when possible, approximately 1 hr of observations was attempted. 2.4 Biopsy Sample Collection Biopsy samples were collected from priority species after the survey team finished collecting identification photographs. Biopsy samples were collected with a sampling dart fired from a Paxarms MK24c projector (Paxarms New Zealand Ltd., Cheviot, New Zealand) or Barnett Recurve crossbow (Barnett Outdoors, LLC, Tarpon Springs, FL). Skin samples were placed in a Whirl-Pak bag after collection and stored in an ice cooler on the vessel. At the end of the day, samples were cross-sectioned, placed in the appropriate Cryovial storage tube, and stored in a freezer until ready for shipment. Samples for stable-isotope analysis, genetic analysis, and pollutant studies were sent to Duke University, the University of Groningen, and Southeast August

13 Fisheries Science Center (National Marine Fisheries Service), respectively. Analysis of these samples is currently in progress. 2.5 Satellite Tagging Low-Impact Minimally Percutaneous Electronic Transmitter (LIMPET) tags with Argos-linked location-only Smart Position and Temperature (SPOT-6) transmitters (Wildlife Computers, Redmond, WA) were deployed on priority species. Tags were deployed remotely with a DAN- INJECT JM.SP.25 CO 2 projector (DAN-INJECT ApS, Børkop, Denmark; Two surgical-grade titanium darts (either 6.8-centimeter or 4.5-centimeter) with six or three backwards-facing petals were used to attach tags to the dorsal fin. Due to expected attachment durations of LIMPET tags on baleen whales (and sperm whales) of less than 30 days, tags were programmed to maximize the number of transmissions and locations received during attachment rather than to extend battery life. Based on satellite availability in the area, tags were programmed to transmit for 22 hr per day with unlimited numbers of transmissions. Locations of tagged individuals were approximated by the Argos system using the Kalman filtering location algorithm (Argos User s Manual Collective Location Services). Unrealistic locations (i.e., those on land) were manually removed using tools provided within Movebank ( 3. Results HDR conducted 12 offshore vessel surveys from April 2015 through 2016, covering 4,003 km of trackline during more than 143 hr of effort (Table 1). The vessel surveys resulted in 193 marine mammal sightings and 35 sea turtle sightings (Figures 3 through 5; Tables 2 and 3). Thirteen cetacean taxa were identified (in order of decreasing frequency): unidentified pilot whale (Globicephala sp.) (n=69), bottlenose dolphin (n=52), Atlantic spotted dolphin (n=12), short-finned pilot whale (n=14), short-beaked common dolphin (n=14), Risso s dolphin (n=5), fin whale (n=5), striped dolphin (n=1), minke whale (n=1), humpback whale (n=2), sperm whale (n=1), Cuvier s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), (n=1), long-finned pilot whale (n=1), and harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) (n=1). In addition, there were 14 sightings of unconfirmed species: unidentified delphinid (n=6), unidentified cetacean (n=4), unidentified medium whale (n=2), unidentified large whale (n=1), and probable sperm whale (n=1). Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) were the most frequently sighted turtle species (n=29), followed by unidentified hard-shell sea turtle (n=4), and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) (n=2). August

14 Table 1. Summary of offshore survey efforts off Virginia Beach, Virginia, from April 2015 through Date Survey Time (min) Distance surveyed (km) # Sightings # Individuals # Sightings Baleen Whales # Individuals Baleen Whales # Sightings Odontocetes # Individuals Odontocetes # Sightings Sea Turtles # Individuals Sea Turtles 12-Apr Apr Jun Aug Sep Oct Mar Jun Jul Jul Oct Nov Total 8,596 4, , , Key: min = minute(s); km = kilometer(s) August

15 Figure 3. Offshore survey tracks and locations of all baleen whale (n=9) sightings, April 2015 through August

16 Figure 4. Offshore survey tracks and locations of all toothed whale, dolphin, and porpoise (n=184) sightings, April 2015 through August

17 Figure 5. Offshore survey tracks and locations of all sea turtle (n=35) sightings, April 2015 through August

18 Table 2. Summary of marine mammal sightings during 12 offshore vessel surveys from April 2015 through Date Sighting Time (local) Scientific Name Common Name Group Size Latitude ( N) Longitude ( W) 12-Apr-15 7:51 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Apr-15 7:52 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Apr-15 9:28 Phocoena phocoena Harbor porpoise Apr-15 10:35 Balaenoptera acutorostrata Minke whale Apr-15 10:37 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Apr-15 14:44 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Apr-15 14:58 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Apr-15 15:05 Balaenoptera physalus Fin whale Apr-15 15:26 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Apr-15 15:54 Unidentified cetacean Apr-15 17:22 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Apr-15 17:40 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Apr-15 10:24 Balaenoptera physalus Fin whale Apr-15 10:27 Balaenoptera physalus Fin whale Apr-15 12:33 Unidentified dolphin Apr-15 13:26 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Apr-15 14:32 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Apr-15 15:24 Grampus griseus Risso's dolphin Apr-15 15:52 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Apr-15 16:05 Unidentified dolphin Apr-15 16:05 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Apr-15 17:01 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Apr-15 17:07 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Apr-15 17:42 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Jun-15 7:05 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jun-15 9:04 Stenella frontalis Atlantic spotted dolphin Jun-15 10:05 Globicephala macrorhyncus Short-finned pilot whale Jun-15 10:41 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jun-15 10:59 Stenella coeruleoalba Striped dolphin Jun-15 11:29 Grampus griseus Risso's dolphin Jun-15 11:55 Grampus griseus Risso's dolphin Jun-15 12:04 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jun-15 12:16 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jun-15 12:18 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jun-15 13:09 Grampus griseus Risso's dolphin Jun-15 13:39 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jun-15 13:51 Globicephala macrorhyncus Short-finned pilot whale August

19 Date Sighting Time (local) Scientific Name Common Name Group Size Latitude ( N) Longitude ( W) 10-Jun-15 14:06 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jun-15 14:33 Globicephala macrorhyncus Short-finned pilot whale Jun-15 14:46 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jun-15 14:55 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jun-15 14:57 Stenella coeruleoalba Striped dolphin Aug-15 9:47 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Aug-15 10:23 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Aug-15 11:03 Unidentified dolphin Aug-15 12:24 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Aug-15 12:39 Globicephala macrorhyncus Short-finned pilot whale Aug-15 13:46 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Aug-15 14:01 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Aug-15 14:23 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Aug-15 14:37 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Aug-15 14:47 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Sep-15 9:05 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Sep-15 9:28 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Sep-15 9:42 Globicephala macrorhyncus Short-finned pilot whale Sep-15 9:56 Globicephala macrorhyncus Short-finned pilot whale Sep-15 9:58 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Sep-15 10:13 Stenella frontalis Atlantic spotted dolphin Sep-15 10:21 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Sep-15 10:33 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Sep-15 10:58 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Sep-15 11:05 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Sep-15 11:08 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Sep-15 11:24 Physeter macrocephalus Probable sperm whale Sep-15 11:27 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Sep-15 11:49 Stenella frontalis Atlantic spotted dolphin Sep-15 11:50 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Sep-15 12:28 Unidentified dolphin Sep-15 12:32 Globicephala macrorhyncus Short-finned pilot whale Sep-15 12:32 Unidentified dolphin Sep-15 12:45 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Sep-15 12:52 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Sep-15 12:54 Stenella frontalis Atlantic spotted dolphin Sep-15 13:12 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Sep-15 14:00 Stenella frontalis Atlantic spotted dolphin Sep-15 14:14 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Sep-15 14:27 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Sep-15 14:40 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale August

20 Date Sighting Time (local) Scientific Name Common Name Group Size Latitude ( N) Longitude ( W) 21-Oct-15 9:32 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Oct-15 9:46 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Oct-15 10:16 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Oct-15 10:39 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Oct-15 10:42 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Oct-15 11:47 Stenella frontalis Atlantic spotted dolphin Oct-15 13:12 Stenella frontalis Atlantic spotted dolphin Oct-15 13:50 Stenella frontalis Atlantic spotted dolphin Oct-15 14:03 Stenella frontalis Atlantic spotted dolphin Oct-15 14:21 Unidentified dolphin Oct-15 14:27 Globicephala macrorhyncus Short-finned pilot whale Oct-15 15:00 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Oct-15 16:53 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Oct-15 17:48 Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale Mar-16 10:49 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Mar-16 11:09 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Mar-16 11:27 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Mar-16 11:30 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Mar-16 11:54 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Mar-16 12:40 Unidentified medium whale Mar-16 13:17 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Mar-16 13:28 Balaenoptera physalus Fin whale Mar-16 13:41 Grampus griseus Risso's dolphin Mar-16 14:34 Globicephala melas Long-finned pilot whale Mar-16 15:02 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Mar-16 15:05 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Mar-16 15:11 Physeter macrocephalus Sperm whale Mar-16 15:16 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Mar-16 15:39 Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale Mar-16 16:07 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Mar-16 18:14 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jun-16 9:06 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jun-16 9:25 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jun-16 9:58 Globicephala macrorhynchus Short-finned pilot whale Jun-16 10:29 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jun-16 10:41 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jun-16 10:44 Globicephala macrorhynchus Short-finned pilot whale August

21 Date Sighting Time (local) Scientific Name Common Name Group Size Latitude ( N) Longitude ( W) 27-Jun-16 10:52 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jun-16 11:18 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jun-16 11:21 Balaenoptera physalus Fin whale Jun-16 11:46 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Jun-16 12:45 Unidentified dolphin Jun-16 13:09 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jun-16 13:33 Unidentified large whale Jun-16 14:03 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jun-16 14:07 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jul-16 6:35 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 7:54 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 8:23 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 8:35 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 8:38 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 8:42 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jul-16 8:55 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jul-16 9:03 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jul-16 9:13 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jul-16 9:22 Stenella frontalis Atlantic spotted dolphin Jul-16 9:31 Stenella frontalis Atlantic spotted dolphin Jul-16 9:44 Unidentified medium whale Jul-16 10:11 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 10:45 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 11:07 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 11:39 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 12:01 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 12:08 Ziphius cavirostris Cuvier's beaked whale Jul-16 14:52 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 15:11 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 15:27 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 15:50 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 10:24 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 10:32 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Jul-16 10:41 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 10:56 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jul-16 11:00 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 11:12 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jul-16 11:46 Globicephala macrorhynchus Short-finned pilot whale Jul-16 13:33 Globicephala sp. Bottlenose dolphin Jul-16 13:48 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jul-16 13:54 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale August

22 Date Sighting Time (local) Scientific Name Common Name Group Size Latitude ( N) Longitude ( W) 27-Jul-16 14:29 Globicephala macrorhynchus Short-finned pilot whale Jul-16 15:10 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Jul-16 15:24 Globicephala macrorhynchus Short-finned pilot whale Oct-16 11:18 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Oct-16 13:52 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Oct-16 14:01 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Oct-16 14:18 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Oct-16 14:47 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Oct-16 15:02 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Oct-16 15:16 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Oct-16 15:32 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Oct-16 15:42 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Oct-16 16:06 Unidentified cetacean Oct-16 16:24 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Oct-16 16:35 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Oct-16 16:44 Unidentified dolphin Oct-16 17:05 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Oct-16 17:25 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Oct-16 18:32 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Nov-16 8:29 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Nov-16 10:14 Globicephala macrorhynchus Short-finned pilot whale Nov-16 10:15 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Nov-16 10:28 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Nov-16 10:45 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Nov-16 10:59 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Nov-16 11:00 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Nov-16 11:14 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Nov-16 12:02 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Nov-16 12:27 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Nov-16 12:36 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Nov-16 12:45 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Nov-16 12:58 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Nov-16 13:33 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Nov-16 13:58 Globicephala sp. Unidentified pilot whale Nov-16 14:44 Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Nov-16 14:59 Delphinus delphis Short-beaked common dolphin Nov-16 15:56 Stenella frontalis Atlantic spotted dolphin August

23 Table 3. Summary of sea turtle sightings during nine offshore vessel surveys from April 2015 through Date Sighting Time (local) Scientific Name Common Name Group Size Latitude ( N) Longitud e ( W) 12-Apr-15 13:34 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Apr-15 14:07 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Apr-15 14:39 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Apr-15 12:42 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Apr-15 14:09 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Apr-15 16:53 Dermochelys coriacea Leatherback sea turtle Apr-15 17:30 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Apr-15 17:36 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Jun-15 16:04 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Jun-15 16:07 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Jun-15 16:10 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Jun-15 16:16 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Jun-15 16:21 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Jun-15 16:31 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Jun-15 16:55 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Jun-15 17:13 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Jun-15 17:22 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Sep-15 8:08 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Sep-15 8:19 Unidentified hard-shell sea turtle Sep-15 8:31 Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle Oct-15 9:00 Unidentified hard-shell sea turtle Jun-16 14:53 Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle Jun-16 15:01 Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle Jun-16 15:39 Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle Jun-16 15:39 Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle Jul-16 6:21 Unidentified hard-shell turtle Jul-16 6:54 Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle Jul-16 7:08 Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle Jul-16 16:27 Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle Jul-16 16:34 Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle Jul-16 16:35 Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle Jul-16 17:22 Unidentified hard-shell sea turtle Nov-16 8:50 Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle Nov-16 9:30 Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle Nov-16 13:18 Dermochelys coriacea Leatherback turtle August

24 3.1 Photo-ID Photo-ID images were collected from 129 of the 193 marine mammal sightings. Images collected during pilot whale encounters are being shared with Duke University for comparisons with their existing catalog of pilot whales from Cape Hatteras, and matching is on-going. Photos of other species of odontocetes have been archived for future processing. All photos of baleen whales were added to HDR s existing catalogs (Table 4). With the addition of these photos, the HDR fin whale catalog now contains 12 unique individuals, the minke whale catalog contains 4 individuals, and the sei whale catalog contains 2 individuals. The first humpback whale observed during the offshore vessel survey on 21 October 2015 matched to an individual in the HDR humpback whale catalog, HDRVAMn030, last seen near shore 193 days prior (on 11 April 2015), and the second was new to the catalog (HDRVAMn067). Table 4. Summary of photo-identified baleen whale individuals sighted, from April 2015 through HDR ID # Species Sighting Date Focal Follow?, Duration (min) Biopsy? Satellite Tag? HDRVABa001 Balaenoptera acutorostrata 12-Apr-15 Yes, 48 No No HDRVABp004 Balaenoptera physalus 12-Apr-15 Yes, 32 No No HDRVABp005 Balaenoptera physalus 29-Apr-15 Yes, 63 Yes No HDRVABp006 Balaenoptera physalus 29-Apr-15 No No No HDRVABp007 Balaenoptera physalus 29-Apr-15 No No No HDRVABp008 Balaenoptera physalus 29-Apr-15 No No No HDRVABp013 Balaenoptera physalus 03-Mar-16 No No No HDRVABp012 Balaenoptera physalus 27-Jun-16 No No Yes HDRVAMn030 Megaptera novaeangliae 21-Oct-15 No No No HDRVAMn067 Megaptera novaeangliae 12-Mar-16 No No No August

25 3.2 Focal Follows Three focal follows were performed totaling 163 minutes before the satellite tagging component of the project was added (Table 3). Two were completed on 12 April 2015 on a single fin whale and a single minke whale, and one was on 29 April 2015 on a pair of fin whales. Focal-follow data will be examined for any emerging patterns of habitat utilization and primary behaviors. 3.3 Biopsy Sample Collection One biopsy of a fin whale was collected on 29 April 2015 (Table 3). HDR has completed the necessary paperwork and is waiting for CITES to issue an export permit before genetic samples can be shipped to the University of Groningen in the Netherlands for processing. 3.4 Satellite Tagging One SPOT-6 satellite tag (Argos ID 15867) was deployed on a fin whale (HDRVABp012) sighted on 27 June 2016 (Table 4, Figure 6). The tag stopped transmitting on 11 July, for a total duration of 13.7 days. Argos locations (Figure 5) show the individual s movements along and beyond the continental shelf break, as well as some time spent over the continental shelf. Movements were through VACAPES range boxes 1B2, 1B3, 1B4, 2B1, 2B2, and 2B3. August

26 Figure 6. Filtered locations (white dots) and track of fin whale HDRVABp012 over 13.7 days of tag-attachment duration. August

27 4. Discussion Analysis and collection of data for this project are still in the early stages; however, preliminary results show high diversity in the study area for marine mammals in an important high-use area by the U.S. Navy. Two hundred and forty sightings of 14 identified species of marine mammals and 2 species of sea turtles were made over 13 surveys, showing a wide distribution throughout the study area. Sightings from this project coincide with those species expected to be present based on information collected through aerial surveys (McAlarney et al. 2016) and PAM (Hodge et al. 2016). Overlaying sighting information with PAM data would be a useful method to validate acoustic detections with species identifications. There are still some species recorded through PAM that have not yet been visually detected; however, with continued effort in this region additional validations will hopefully be determined. As expected, there was a concentration of sightings near and offshore of the shelf break, especially for pilot whales, but baleen whale sightings were made both on and off the shelf. Locations from the satellite-tagged fin whale show movements through both shelf and slope waters, which include VACAPES range boxes 1B2, 1B3, 1B4, 2B1, 2B2, and 2B3 (Figure 6). Range boxes in and around the Norfolk Canyon (K3 and K4) were often closed due to Navy training and testing exercises; however, sightings of marine species in this area were numerous, showing the potential for overlap between these species and naval activities. Norfolk Canyon is also an area heavily used by recreational fishing charter vessels. Those species most frequently observed in this area were bottlenose dolphins, followed by pilot whales, suggesting that these animals may be the least disturbed by frequently occurring activities in this area. The absence of other species, including beaked whales, is of interest; however, additional effort is needed in this area to make further conclusions about the species composition for this area. Additionally, satellite-tag data would be especially useful to see whether some species are using this area and simply have not yet been observed. This study area can be challenging to survey, mainly because of the difficulty in finding suitable weather windows that match up with access to restricted Navy exercise areas. Each survey day, however, adds useful data once completed. As more surveys are completed and the HDR team is able to spread more coverage across each season, a high priority will be given to conducting analyses to better document seasonal occurrence patterns. Better and more detailed information will allow the U.S. Navy to make more informed decisions for training within the survey area to minimize potential impacts on marine mammals and sea turtles. HDR will continue to coordinate data sharing with other local and regional researchers and agencies. To date, the largest of our offshore photo-id catalogs, the fin whale catalog, has been compared to that of the Center for Coastal Studies but did not yield any matches. Further comparisons will occur as the catalogs grow and additional data become available. Such comparisons, along with the processing of photo-id data collected to date, will allow for a better understanding of residency in the area by some species. Additional tag deployments will be a priority for future surveys, and as technology progresses and Fastloc GPS is integrated into Wildlife Computer s LIMPET tags, HDR will be able to add high-resolution data logging to better document the whales movements within the study area. August

28 5. Acknowledgements This project is funded by U.S. Fleet Forces Command and managed by Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic (NAVFAC LANT) as part of the U.S. Navy s marine species monitoring program. HDR would like to acknowledge our Contracting Officer s Technical Representative, Joel Bell, for his continued oversight and support for this project. We would also like to acknowledge the NAVFAC LANT team members who assisted in the field during surveys: thanks to Jackie Bort Thornton, Danielle Jones, Cara Hotchkin, Jamie Gormley, and Brittany Bartlett. We would also like to thank Will Cioffi from Duke University, Michael Richlen from HDR, and Todd Pusser for their time assisting in the field as well. HDR would also like to thank our boat captains from the Virginia Beach Fishing Center, Joe DelCampo of Capt. Cheryl, Russ Kostinas of Top Notch, and Prince Rich of Knot Tell n. We would like to acknowledge the aerial survey team from University of North Carolina, Wilmington, including Ryan McAlarney, Erin Cummings, Bill McLellan, and Ann Pabst for coordinating their efforts during our offshore surveys. All surveys were conducted under National Marine Fisheries Service Scientific Permit held by Dan Engelhaupt and National Marine Fisheries Service Scientific Permit held by Keith Mullin, Southeast Fisheries Science Center. 6. References Aschettino, J., A. Engelhaupt, and D. Engelhaupt Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale Monitoring, Virginia Beach, VA: 2014/15 Annual Progress Report. Prepared for U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Submitted to Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, under Contract No. N , Task Order 054, issued to HDR Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia. 18 June Aschettino, J., D. Engelhaupt, A. Engelhaupt, and M. Richlen Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale Monitoring, Virginia Beach, VA: 2015/16 Annual Progress Report. Prepared for U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Submitted to Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, under Contract No. N , Task Orders 03 and 054, and N D-8006, Task Order 13, issued to HDR Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia. 30 August Aschettino, J.M., D. Engelhaupt, A. Engelhaupt, and M. Richlen Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale Monitoring, Virginia Beach, Virginia: 2016/17 Annual Progress Report. Prepared for U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Submitted to Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, under Contract N , Task Order 33, issued to HDR Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia. 15 February Baird, R.W., D.L. Webster, Z. Swaim, H.J. Foley, D.B. Anderson, and A.J. Read Spatial Use by Odontocetes Satellite Tagged off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina in Final report. Prepared for U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Submitted to Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, under Contract No. N , Task Order 57 and N , Task Order 07, issued to HDR Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia. 29 July August